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enSuarez goalless on return to AnfieldLuis Suarez was unable to get among the goals as he returned to Liverpool in a charity match pitting a Steven Gerrard XI against a side led by Jamie Carragher.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/suarez-goalless-anfield-return-balotelli-nets-stunner
Mario Balotelli crashed a 25-yard stunner home before Didier Drogba rounded Brad Jones to put Carragher's side 2-0 up.
However, Gerrard netted from the spot in either half to secure a 2-2 draw.
Suarez was not the only former Anfield favourite to return, with Fernando Torres, Pepe Reina and Xabi Alonso all turning out.
Liverpool fans among the sell-out Anfield crowd will have been pleased to see Jon Flanagan and Lucas Leiva get run-outs as they return to fitness.
news_articleSun, 29 Mar 2015 16:40:36 +0000368129 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comLampard eyes MLS showdown with GerrardAugust 23 is in Frank Lampards diary as he looks forward to New York City facing Steven Gerrards LA Galaxy.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/lampard-eyes-mls-showdown-gerrard
New York City midfielder Frank Lampard has already marked down the day his team will face Steven Gerrard's LAGalaxy in MLS.
Lampard and Gerrard do battle at StubHub Center on August 23.
Former Chelsea midfielder Lampard said the two former England internationals shared mutual respect, and the MLS clash was one he was looking forward to.
"I am pleased for Stevie. I think it is a very good move for him. What more can he do for Liverpool? He has had a fantastic career," he said.
"It helps with the interest here, people seeing it on TV over here now.
"I look forward to being competitive against Stevie. We get on very well, particularly in our latter years as captain and vice-captain of England.
"I have a huge amount of respect for him and I look forward to going up against him."
Lampard left Chelsea having not been offered a contract at the end of last season, despite wanting to stay.
The 36-year-old said it may be tougher for Gerrard, who has decided he will leave Liverpool after 2014-15 to join the Galaxy.
"Only individuals know the right time for them. I wasn't sure about my time as a Chelsea player. The decision got made for me," Lampard said.
"When the decision is not made for you and you have to make it yourself then it's more difficult maybe.
"Only he knows that and I think at the minute I would say yes, because what more can he do? If he's not their greatest player he will be right up there with the greatest players ever.
"Maybe there's a time [when it's up] at a club. When I look back at my time at Chelsea, you accept they will move on and I am sure Stevie will look at Liverpool and see it the same way. Then you look at yourself and think, 'How can I finish in the right way?' Stevie will do that."
news_articleWed, 25 Mar 2015 08:23:55 +0000366318 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comRyder Cup captain Clarke could turn to GerrardEurope captain Darren Clarke has hinted he could enlist the help of Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard to motivate his side ahead of the Ryder Cup at Hazeltine in 2016.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/ryder-cup-captain-clarke-could-enlist-help-steven-gerrard
By the time Clarke's charges arrive in Minnesota, Gerrard will be plying his trade with LA Galaxy in MLS, and Clarke - a Liverpool fan -joked the 34-year-old midfielder could follow in the footsteps of Alex Ferguson in addressing a Ryder Cup team.
"LA is not that close to Minnesota, so we will see," he said."Paul [McGinley]obviously got a lot of help and advice from a lot of different people who have been in that position of managing people and looking after people, and I will be the same.
"There are a few people that I am thinking about. We'll see.
"He [Gerrard]is a real legend. If I were to do something like that, he would be someone I would consider."
Clarke, though, is fully focused on breaking new ground during his stint as captain.
"Europe has a chance to make history by winning the Ryder Cup for the fourth time in succession and I am absolutely thrilled to have that opportunity,"he added.
"But, whatever happens, I will also do everything in my power to ensure the good name of the game and the true spirit of this incredible match is carried forward.
"What made this honour even more amazing is that Davis Love III has been elected American captain. We have been very good friends ever since I first started playing in America and I have the utmost respect for him as both a player and a person.
"It won't stop me doing everything I possibly can to ensure the European team beats his, but whatever the result we will remain friends first and foremost."
news_articleTue, 24 Mar 2015 11:14:29 +0000365957 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comYoure off! The fastest football red card dismissalsAfter Steven Gerrards quickfire dismissal against Manchester United on Sunday night, Zee Ko takes a look at some other hilariously early red cards...Zee Kohttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/youre-fastest-football-red-card-dismissals
The amazing thing about the Liverpool captain's red card 38 seconds after his half-time introduction was that he managed to string together four complete passes before receiving his marching orders. Others, however, haven't even had time to so much as bat an eyelid at the referee before being ordered to the showers.
Here are some of the best (or worst, depending on which side you're on)...
Jetro Willems (PSV Eindhoven vs NAC Breda), 29 seconds
The quickest red card in Eredivise history... wasn't a red card offence at all. PSV's Willems was given his marching orders after what looked like a harmless challenge on NAC midfielder Gill Swerts, but referee Kevin Blom was fooled by the Belgian's exaggerated dive and produced the red card after only 29 seconds.
Thankfully for PSV, the numerical disadvantage didn't seem to slow them down in any way as they picked up a 2-0 win. Blom also later had the dismissal overturned after seeing replays and admitting that he'd got the decision wrong. Cheers, ref.
Ruben Zadkovich (Perth Glory vs Wellington Phoenix), 17 seconds
As far as dismissals go, this one was pretty straightforward for the referee. Zadkovich came on for A-League side Perth Glory in the 61st minute of a 2014 game against Wellington Phoenix, as they looked to see out the game with a handy 2-0 lead. Not a time for any over-the-top risks, you'd think.
Alas, the former QPR and Derby County midfielder had other ideas, lunging in on Vince Lia before his substitution graphic had even faded on television screens. The two-footed challenge was as wild as it was high. Lia went flying, leaving the referee no choice but to order Zadkovich off the field.
Serge Djiehoua (Gylfadas vs Olympiacos Volou), 7 seconds
The big Ivorian striker's debut for third-tier Greek football club Gylfadas in 2013 was memorable for all the wrong reasons. Djiehoua's coach was probably hoping for an instant impact when he threw him on in the 82nd minute with the team trailing 3-1 –and make the headlines he did.
The 30-year-old striker kicked off in the centre circle, muttered a quick prayer as he ran back into his own half before getting tangled withAthanasios Pindonis, who went down like a sack of potatoes. Out came the red card and off jogged Djiehoua, who at least found the incident funny enough to laugh at himself.
Matt McClure (Tranmere vs Wycombe), 3.7 seconds
Some red cards are given for vicious fouls that could potentially maim opponents. Others are for innocuous challenges lacking in intent but still red card offences according to the laws of the game.
McClure's blink-and-you'll-miss-it dismissal came in March of this year when he was thrown on in the 67th minute of a 2-1 League Two win at Tranmere. As a goal-kick was lumped downfield, the Wycombe striker went up for the ball with Tranmere's Adam Dugdale and was instantly shown a red card after his arm hit his opponent in the face.
"I think he’s led with his arm but he hasn’t meant to elbow the guy in any way," Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth moaned after the game. It's a 'record' that the club are happy to own, though, given the caption and witty headline on their own video below.
Keith Gillespie (Reading vs Sheff United), 0 seconds
This is a record that will never be broken (or at least until they invent time travel). Gillespie somehow managed to get himself sent off moments after coming on during a particularly heated Premier League match between Sheffield United and Reading in 2007.
Gillespie cameon for Derek Geary as the Blades prepared to take a second-half throw-in, but the substitute's red mist descended almost instantly as he elbowed Stephen Hunt in the face while the two were jockeying for position (fast forward to 3:10 in the video if you haven't got all day). Since play hadn't even been restarted yet, the referee's red card technically came zero seconds after Gillespie's injection into the game.
featureMon, 23 Mar 2015 09:29:17 +0000Joe Brewin365464 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comRodgers: Frustration behind Gerrard redBrendan Rodgers feels frustration was the reason behind Liverpool captain Steven Gerrards red card in their 2-1 loss to Manchester United.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/rodgers-blames-frustration-gerrard-red-card
Gerrard - who came off the bench at half-time - saw red for a stamp on United midfielder Ander Herrera in his final game against Liverpool's biggest rivals before leaving for LA Galaxy.
The hosts were trailing 1-0 through Juan Mata's strike when Gerrard was dismissed, and fell 2-0 behind in the 59th minute through a spectacular scissor-kick from the Spaniard.
Daniel Sturridge halved the deficit, but a comeback never materialised, with United forward Wayne Rooney seeing an injury-time penalty saved by Simon Mignolet after Emre Can had felled Daley Blind.
Rodgers told Sky Sports: "Steven apologised to the players and me in the dressing room. It was probably frustration, we didn't put a tackle in in the first half but the players adjusted well.
"I was disappointed with the first half, our start position was way too deep. They were excellent and deserved their lead. But the players showed incredible bravery in the second half and showed character.
"Without playing great, we still had a good chance. We needed some luck but it wasn't to be. We will get a reaction after this and finish the season strongly."
Ugly scenes somewhat marred the end of an enthralling game after Martin Skrtel appeared to stamp on United goalkeeper David de Gea.
"I have seen the Martin Skrtel incident," Rodgers added. "The ball was played through but it probably looks worse in slow motion.
"It looks like he is trying to get a nick on the ball, to get a toe on it the ball went into the goalkeeper's hands. Martin is not that type of player, he was just a fraction out.
"We have to refocus on our next game and we knew there would be one or two defeats on reaching our points total."
news_articleSun, 22 Mar 2015 16:51:08 +0000365112 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comGerrard apologises for red card against UnitedSteven Gerrard has apologised to Liverpool fans and his team-mates following his dismissal after just 38 seconds on the pitch in Sundays 2-1 defeat to Manchester United.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/gerrard-apologises-red-card
Gerrard saw red less than a minute after coming on at half-time in a crucial clash in the fight for UEFA Champions League qualification for stamping on the leg of Ander Herrera.
The midfielder looked to have won the ball in the initial challenge, but a rush of blood to head left his side with a mountain to climb after United had taken the lead in the 14th minute through Juan Mata.
Mata doubled United's lead with a spectacular scissor-kick in the 59th minute, with Daniel Sturridge pulling one back before Wayne Rooney missed a late penalty following Emre Can's foul on Daley Blind, leaving Gerrard to lament what might have been if not for his moment of madness.
He told Sky Sports: "I need to accept it, the decision was right, I've let my team-mates and the manager down today and most importantly the supporters.
"I've been in the game long enough to know that when you've done something like that... I take full responsibility for it.
"It was just a reaction to the initial tackle, I don't think I should say too much more, I came out to apologise to everyone in the dressing room, the supporters. I take responsibility for the result."
Gerrard's former Liverpool team-mate Jamie Carragher felt Brendan Rodgers' initial decision to leave Gerrard on the bench had a part to play in the dismissal.
Carragher said: "Watching the first half from the bench he'd have been frustrated. He'd have been thinking 'why am I not playing, why am I not on the pitch?'
"He's an emotional player. When he's done well it's with his heart; Istanbul [in the 2005 Champions League final], the FA Cup final [in 2006].
"On the flip side, four of his seven red cards have come against Everton and Manchester United. The emotion has contributed to the red cards."
news_articleSun, 22 Mar 2015 15:43:47 +0000365094 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comGerrard sent off after just 38 secondsSteven Gerrard was sent off less than a minute after coming on at half-time during Liverpools meeting with Manchester United.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/breaking-news-gerrard-sent-after-47-seconds
news_articleSun, 22 Mar 2015 14:35:28 +0000365054 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comGerrard left on bench for final United clashLiverpool captain Steven Gerrard was left on the bench for what is set to be hisfinal game against rivals Manchester United.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/gerrard-left-bench-final-united-clash
Gerrard is to leave Liverpool at the end of the season to join LA Galaxy in the MLS after spending his entire career with his hometown club.
The midfielderwas not named inthe starting XI for Monday's 1-0 win at Swansea City despite returning from a hamstring injury.
And Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has elected to stick with the same line-up for the visit of Louis van Gaal's men, meaning that Gerrard will have to wait patiently for his last taste of what is widely regarded as thebiggest fixture in English football.
Rodgers said: "Steven Gerrard's history in this fixture, he is a top-class player, but he understands the team is doing well. He has been supportive of the players and has been brilliant."
news_articleSun, 22 Mar 2015 12:52:02 +0000365026 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comFrom Kop flop to Liverpool leader: How Henderson became Gerrards ready-made successor at Anfield It took the former Sunderland man time to settle after his big-money move in 2011, butMichael Coxsays the current Reds skipper is now leading by example...Michael Coxhttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/kop-flop-liverpool-leader-how-henderson-became-gerrards-ready-made-successor-anfield
After a quiet start to the 2014/15 campaign, Jordan Henderson has been in fine form in recent weeks – and all while wearing the captain’s armband in the absence of an injured Steven Gerrard. It’s a status he will become accustomed to next season after Gerrard’s departure to LA Galaxy, when Henderson will become Liverpool skipper on a permanent basis.
He has long been groomed as Gerrard's replacement –the man himself said he hoped Henderson would be “the new Steven Gerrard” upon his arrival at the club –although it’s taken theprotégéa while to live up to that billing. Now in his fourth season at Anfield, he’s arguably playing the best football of his career.
Henderson endured a sluggish start to life at Anfield. Signed in the same period as Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing and Andy Carroll, he was initially cast as another overpriced flop recruited on the back of a flawed transfer strategy that concentrated heavily on the ‘chances created’ statistic.
The other three, for various reasons, didn’t quite work out – but Henderson was different. More athletic than Adam, more confident than Downing and more reliable than Carroll, he was always a good bet for the future. His evolution over the past couple of years, however, has been highly surprising.
Kenny killed you
Henderson suffered under Kenny Dalglish because his position kept changing. He was fielded as a central midfielder in either a two or a three-man midfield, then shoved out to the right flank.
He was also compromised by the fact that, while supposedly set to become the next Gerrard, he was having to fit into the same team alongside the then-England captain too. It took a while for Henderson to find his feet, and to find his best role in the side.
Maybe, however, it was actually the other way around – Henderson started to shine when Gerrard found his best role. It’s worth remembering that it was only midway through last season that Brendan Rodgers decided to experiment with Gerrard in the deepest-lying midfield position, and that freed up Henderson to play a more attacking role. Gerrard was now sitting deep and creating, but he didn’t have the speed nor the stamina to play an all-action, box-to-box midfield role as in his younger years.
Therefore, Henderson was essentially providing the balance, supplying the energy, the ball-winning and the driving, forward runs higher up the pitch. In his first season under Rodgers, he shone primarily when used in a functional role –like when providing pressing high up the pitch in a 2-2 draw at Arsenal, for example.
Last season, though, his confidence was up and he started to provide moments of magic on the edge of the opposition box, too. As Liverpool played a direct game based around powerful forward running, Henderson was the perfect player to provide backup to Raheem Sterling, Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge.
Things have become slightly more complex this season. The attacking section of Liverpool’s side has changed, and it’s gradually become apparent that Gerrard is no longer part of Liverpool’s optimum XI.
The switch to 3-4-3 (or 3-4-2-1) means there are only two conventional midfield slots up for grabs, and it’s worked better when Henderson plays alongside Joe Allen or Lucas Leiva, more positionally disciplined and responsible players than Gerrard. For the first time, Henderson is ahead of Gerrard in the pecking order.
Captain's display
His last two Premier League performances have been particularly impressive. In the 2-1 win over Manchester City, Henderson curled in a superb opener and then provided tremendous pressing from his central midfield role throughout the game, with Allen sitting deeper and protecting the defence.
He followed that with a goal and an assist in a 2-0 win over Burnley, where he also showed maturity by gradually holding his runs more as Liverpool moved into the ascendancy, helping the side to protect the lead – the type of thing Gerrard was often criticised for lacking, incidentally.
The strange thing about calling Henderson the new Gerrard, however, is that it’s impossible to say precisely what Gerrard was to Liverpool.
He broke through as a tough-tackling defensive midfielder, then became a box-to-box player, then an attacking midfielder, then a No.10, and then gradually dropped back to become a deep-lying creator.
Whatever role Henderson plays, Gerrard will have done so before. Ultimately, though, the comparison is irrelevant – if Henderson keeps on playing at this level, Liverpool will get over Gerrard sooner.
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featureFri, 13 Mar 2015 14:05:00 +0000Joe Brewin359914 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSkipper Gerrard fit for Reds trip to SwanseaSteven Gerrard will be available for Liverpool when they travel to Swansea City in the Premier League on Monday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/gerrard-fit-liverpools-trip-swansea
Gerrard confirmed the news in a media conference on Thursday ahead of a charity game to be held at Anfield at the end of the month.
The Liverpool captain has missed the last seven matches after suffering a hamstring injury in the 3-2 victory over Tottenham last month.
Without Gerrard, Liverpool have won all three of their league outings, although they were dumped out of the UEFA Europa League following a penalty shootout atBesiktas.
With 10 Premier League games remaining - and an FA Cup quarter-final replay with Blackburn Rovers still to come - Gerrard's return to fitness will provide a welcome boost to manager Brendan Rodgers.
news_articleThu, 12 Mar 2015 14:00:19 +0000359415 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comLiverpool captaincy not decided, says HendersonJordan Henderson is not convinced he will necessarilysucceed Steven Gerrard as Liverpool captain next season.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/liverpool-captaincy-not-decided-henderson
Long-serving midfielder Gerrard is due to depart for LA Galaxy at the end of the campaign, and vice-captain Henderson has assumed the skipper's armband at times this season with Gerrard out injured.
While the former Sunderland man is considered the favourite to succeed Gerrard, Henderson maintains he is not taking anything as given.
"Next season we'll see what happens because it might not be me succeeding Stevie, it might be someone else," Henderson told theofficial Liverpool magazine.
"There are a lot of strong leaders in the dressing room. There are a lot of big characters in the team - down to earth, humble people.
"Mama [Sakho], Emre [Can] and Skrts [Martin Skrtel] have developed a strong collective understanding. You can see their passion, they're desperate to win, they give everything.
"Studge [Daniel Sturridge] is a big character. Lucas [Leiva] is too. I can only do the current job the best I can."
BrendanRodgers'men remain incontention for a top-four finishdespite a dismal start to their Premier League campaign - having run Manchester City close for the title last term.
"The thing I've probably learnt most from Stevie is the way he overcomes the disappointments. I think that defines you more than anything," Henderson added.
"I can relate to it. If I look back to my first season here, it wasn't easy. But it made me stronger.
"I always think of losing the FA Cup [final to Chelsea in 2012] rather than winning the League Cup. Setbacks like that inspire you to want more - to progress and to win."
news_articleWed, 11 Mar 2015 14:09:49 +0000358873 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSuarez set for Anfield return in charity gameLiverpool fans will get their chance to pay homage to one of their heroes later this month, when Luis Suarez returns to Anfield for the first time since his transfer to Barcelona.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/suarez-set-anfield-return
Suarez is to take part in an all-star charity game on March 29, whichhas been arranged to mark the upcoming departure of captain Steven Gerrard.
The Uruguayan, who scored 82 goals in 133 games for Liverpool before leaving for Camp Nou last July, is one of a host of marquee names to sign up for the event.
Other Liverpool icons, such as Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres, Pepe Reina and Dirk Kuyt will be joined by the likes of Thierry Henry, Didier Drogba and John Terry.
Current Liverpool players who are not on international duty will also play, with the two teams to be skippered by Gerrard andJamie Carragher.
All proceeds from the match will go to charities in the local community.
news_articleThu, 05 Mar 2015 15:26:45 +0000355720 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comMeet Liverpools ideal Steven Gerrard replacementJohn Robertsonexplains why Romas Miralem Pjanic is the ideal man to lead the Anfield side into a new era without their legendary skipper...John Robertsonhttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/meet-liverpools-ideal-steven-gerrard-replacement
With dread, the question hangs over every Liverpool fan: how do you replace Steven Gerrard? With the Reds talisman set to leave at the end of the season following a reluctance for club and player to agree terms on an extension to their lengthy relationship, many are worried that a vacuum of leadership and ability will develop on and off the field.
Finding a replacement will be no easy task. From a certain angle, it's an impossible one. Gerrard grew up with Liverpool, dedicated his career to them, sacrificed the silverware glory offered to him by other, recently more successful clubs. From a 'one of us' perspective, he's irreplaceable.
On the turf, however, he's not getting any younger, quicker or more productive. To continue to rely on him for a source of goals and assists is unhealthy for Liverpool, especially with a crop of talented youngsters seeking to cement their place in the club's future.
Rome raid
Liverpool are a noticeably slower side with their captain in the team, something that Brendan Rodgers seems keenly aware of.
Gerrard has been substituted much more frequently this season and has generally failed to hold down a dedicated position in the starting XI, particularly since his team's switch to 3-4-3 in December.
The formation change has seen the Reds become England's most in-form team, dropping two points in their last six Premier League games. Gerrard's increased absence has hardly resulted in wider failure.
If the rumours surrounding Rodgers' recent trip to the Italian capital are true then the Merseyside club see Roma's Miralem Pjanic as a suitable replacement, the perfect cog to fit in alongside Jordan Henderson, Philippe Coutinho, Raheem Sterling et al.
Ten years Gerrard's junior, Pjanic fits the age requirement and ticks the 'constantly improving' box. The Bosnian is on track to record the most assists of his Giallorossi career (9)this season, as well as retain his 91%+ pass-completion rate. Simply, Pjanic has become the key source of Roma's goals.
By contrast, Gerrard is struggling. He has 1 Premier League assist this term. Take away the penalties and his goal tally would read 2. For Pjanic to have any chance of slipping into the space vacated by Gerrard, he's going to have to replicate a range of passing that has seen the local lad become a Kophero.
More than that, he's going to have to show an improvement on Gerrard's currentoutput in order to justify what is likely to be a price tag in the region of £30 million.
In Roma's recent draw at Verona, Pjanic was involved in 7 of the 10 most common pass combinations for both teams,proving successful with 106 of 115 attempts. 6 led directly to scoring chances.
It's the spread of forward passes that is particularly interesting from a Liverpool perspective here. An enormous number of Pjanic's balls fall into the area just in front of the opposition box that Sterling and Coutinho like to operate within. It's easy to see the playmaker slotting straight into his preferred role at the heart of midfield, with Liverpool's established attackers in front of him.
Gerrard's last start came in mid-February in the 3-2 win over Tottenham and, while he didn't finish the game, the difference in passing style from a similar position is clear –Liverpool rely on longer, more direct passes that are less likely to lead directly to scoring opportunities.
Focused influence
The last time Gerrard played 90 minutes was in the goalless draw with Everton on February 7, a game more memorable for its promise than execution. Despite being on the right side of an attacking three, Gerrard managed to play the ball from, and receive it into, an enormous area of the pitch.
This highlights just how willing his team-mates are to defer responsibility to him, potentially negatively impacting the opportunity for others to become more involved. It might sound crass to suggest that Gerrard is sedating the performance of team-mates, but recent evidence points towards that being the case. By way of contrast, Pjanic's Roma role is much more defined without being predictable.
Against Verona he picked up the ball across the entire width of the pitch, allowing him the freedom to pick out each of the players more advanced than him. Earlier in the season against Empoli, Pjanic stuck more rigidly to the right side, providing width and stretching the defence to make room for his team-mates.
His ability and discipline to perform different roles is clear, a characteristic that Rodgers values within his preferred system of aggressive pressing and constant movement.
Premier adjustments
It's not fair, of course, to directly judge players playing in different leagues. Style and strategy changes between countries and, while good players are rightly expected to adapt, a number of high-profile flops litter Premier League (and Liverpool) history.
Pjanic's impact against Premier League opposition has been minimal this season, although our sample size is limited to two Champions League matches against Manchester City. Across both games he created just 2 chances, only 1 of which came from open play.
Additionally, his passing suffered immensely. While completion rate remained high, there was little attacking penetration –particularly into the kind of central areas Liverpool like to exploit.
Gerrard saw greater success against City in completing dangerous passes and creating chances, but Liverpool still lost this early-season match 3-1. Telling, though, is the number of backward passes he received, suggesting a player who has become increasingly about support over driving the team forward.
It's not that an auxiliary role is one lacking value, but it's one where Liverpool are spoilt for choice. With Henderson providing the energy, any one of Lucas Leiva, Joe Allen or Emre Can could comfortably fill the withdrawn central midfield role, making reliance on Gerrard a reality that has well and truly passed.
With Pjanic taking over core distribution duties, Liverpool would almost certainly see a further increase in output. At the very least, the Bosnian's presence would give them an extra layer of flexibility and future potential that Gerrard no longer provides.
Roma vs Juventus LIVE ANALYSIS with Stats Zone
featureFri, 27 Feb 2015 15:03:47 +0000Joe Brewin351823 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comGerrard wont take Galaxy pens from KeaneLA Galaxy coach Bruce Arena has warned Steven Gerrard not to expect to take penalty duties away from Robbie Keane when he arrives in Major League Soccer.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/gerrard-wont-take-galaxy-penalties-keane
Liverpool captain Gerrard was critical of Mario Balotelli for stepping in front of Jordan Henderson to take a late penalty in Thursday's UEFA Europa League tie with Besiktas.
Balotelli scored to settle the game 1-0, but Gerrard labelled the striker "mischievous" and "disrespectful" for going against pre-match instructions.
However, Gerrard will have to muscle in on former Liverpool colleague and Galaxy captainKeane if he wishes to assume spot-kick duties.
When asked if Keane could relinquish his role, Arena answered: "He's taking them until he misses his next one. He's our captain and our penalty taker...until he tells me otherwise."
Gerrard will head to Los Angeles in July after his 17-year stint with his hometown club comes to an end, and Arena conceded surprise at the midfielder's excitement to join Galaxy, having met him this week.
"I saw him yesterday and I was surprised to see how excited Steven is to come to Los Angeles," Arena said.
"Obviously, he knows that he has a huge obligation to fulfill with Liverpool and to close out his career there in the right manner.
"They are involved in some cup competitions, and then he will be very eager to get to Los Angeles."
news_articleFri, 20 Feb 2015 22:39:34 +0000347827 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comRodgers plays down penalty incidentLiverpool manager Brendan Rodgers played down the incident that saw Mario Balotelli take the ball from Jordan Henderson to convert a late penalty aganist Besiktas.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/rodgers-plays-down-penalty-incident
The hosts looked set to be heading for a goalless draw in the first leg of the last 32 tie at Anfield, until Jordon Ibe was fouled in the area with seven minutes to play.
SubstituteBalotelli - a clinical penalty taker - stepped up to convertthe spot-pick, despite stand-in captain Henderson initially appearing set to take it.
Daniel Sturridgelooked unimpressed by the incident and a further stir was caused when injured captain and regular penalty taker Steven Gerrard, working as a pundit for the game, revealed Henderson would have been the designated taker.
Rodgers, who initially passed no comment on the issue, said on Friday:"There's been a drama, a lot more made of it than it actually was.
"Of the players who were initially on the pitch, Henderson was penalty taker. But when Mario or Gerrard are on, they usually take them.
"What you don't like to see is the etiquette, fouror fiveplayers around a football for the penalty.
"It's the responsibility of Jordan [to make the decision], if he feels Mariocan take the penalty...Jordan gave thepenalty to Mario.
"I always assign responsibility every game. If you're vice-captain and captain comes on pitch you give them the armband, it's a similar thing."
news_articleFri, 20 Feb 2015 14:43:03 +0000347613 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com